Window bracket



May 9, 1944. V w. H. SCHMITT 1 2,348,654

' WINDOW BRACKET Filed Sept. 6, 1941 WILLIAM H. SCHMIT Patented May 9,1944 UNITED STATES OFFICE 9 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in window brackets, wherein it isdesired to provide a fastener suitable for use in combination with stormsashes, casement windows, basement windows, and the like.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a storm sashfastener which is removably connected at each end. Such a constructionhas various decided advantages over fasteners which are removable at oneend only. I

It is a feature of my invention to provide a means of disconnecting thebracket in such a way that the window may be quickly opened up in caseof an emergency. At the salne time, itis necessary that the fasteners beso constructed that they will not become accidentally disengaged. It isa feature of my invention that with my construction, the window bracketmay be en tirely removed in an extremely short period of time and at thesame time, the construction is such that accidental disengagement isvirtually impossible.

It is a feature of the preferred form of my invention that the fastenersor brackets may be entirely removed by swinging the pivoted arms formingthe body of the fasteners in unison to a predetermined pivoted position,in' pressing the spread arms of the bracket together under springtension, and in pivoting the squeezed arms on an axis at substantiallyright angles to the normal pivotal axis of rotation of the arms in orderto remove the bracket from place. means, the brackets may be entirelyremoved from their respective stile plates, leaving the window free topivot open to any desired extent.

It is a further object of my invention to pro vide a window bracket orfastener which is equipped with two types of stile plates, one of whichis designed for use in connecting one arm of the window bracket with asurface extending substantially parallel to the arm, and the otherbracket of which is used to connect the other arm of the fastener to asurface extending on a plane at substantially right angles to the planethrough the other bracket arm. Two of the latter brackets are used inthe combination. With this arrangement, my fastener may be used toconnect a casement window to a frame, to connect a storm sash to awindow frame, or a basement window to its frame, the proper stile platesbeing selected from the assortment of three stile plates furnished witheach such bracket. Thus my fastener is just as adaptable for windowspivoted on vertical axis as for windows pivoted on horizontal'axis.

These and other objects and novel features of invention will be moreclearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawing forming a part of my specific'a tion:

By this simple Figure 1 is a side view of a bracket connecting a stormwindow sash and a window frame, the View being taken on a section linethrough the window and frame.

Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the bracket in position to beopened.

Figure 3 is a section transversely through a portion of a storm sash andwindow frame show ing the fastener in readiness for detachment.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3', showing the bracket partiallydetached.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the attaching head of a sash fastenerconstructed in accordance with the principles of my invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a type of stile plate which isdesigned for use in conjunction with the attaching head shown in Figure5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of another type of stile plate used toconnect the window bracket to a surface which extends substantiallyparallel to the pivoted arms.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of another form of window bracket showingthe manner of attachment and detachment thereof at both ends of thepivoted arms.

Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional View through one of the arms shownin Figure 8 and through the stile plate used in' attaching the bracketto the window frame.

Figure 19 is a perspective view of another type of window fastener andtwo forms of stile plates which may be used in conjunction therewith.

Figure 11 is an elevation view of the end of one of the arms of thebracket shown in Figure lO-and its relationship with its respectivestile plate.

Figure 12 is an elevation view of the other arm of the bracket shown inFigure 10 and its relation with its respective stile plate justbefore'attachment thereof.

The storm window bracket or fastener A in-' cludes an arm ill and asecond arm I l pivoted together and connected by means of a pivot boltE2 or the like. The arms Ill and H are preferably provided with enlargedends l3 and I re spectively through which the pivot bolt I 2 extends andwashers of friction creating mate rial are inserted betweenthe heads l3and" 14 and between the heads of the bolt l2 and the adjacent enlargedend I-i in order to resist p'iv otal movement between the arms ill andH. These friction washers l5 hold the" pivot arms l9 and H in any setadjusted position, and the friction may be regulated by adjustment ofthe nut on the bolt l2. The end of the arm H extends beyond the enlargedhead l4 and is bent at right angles to form a flange or lug Hi whichlimits the pivotal movement of 'the'ar'ms' so that the arms 10 and Hcannot move ln'to' alignment. This fact is true because the flange 16 onthe arm ll strikes the body of the arm I 0 adjacent the head I3 as shownin Figure l of the drawing to limit pivotal movement in this direction.

An ear IT is provided on the arm II which extends over the arm I5 and isprovided with a downwardly extending flange I3 to limit the spreading ofthe arms I and II apart. The arms I3 and II are offset at 20 and 2|respectively so as to spread the free ends of the arms I!) and II, andthese arms are urged apart under spring tension.

The ear I! acts as a locking lug in one pivotal position of the arms Iand I I as will be later described.

The free ends 22 and 23 of the arms I53 and II are enlarged as bestnoted in Figure 5 of the drawing, and are provided with a locking device24 by means of which the arms are disengageably secured to theirrespective stile plates 25 and 25. The locking lugs 24 are formed asbest illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawing, being provided with acylindrical bearing portion 21 and a flat T-shaped head 23. Each of thelocking devices 24 is designed to fit through a suitable recess 30 inthe respective stile plates 25 and 26. Each recess 33 includes acircular opening having opposed slots 3i extending radially therefrom asillustrated in Figures 6 and '7 of the drawing. The T-shaped head 29 mayextend through any of the recesses 30 when the T-shaped head 29 is inproper pivoted relation with the opening, and once the head 29 hasprojected through the opening, the head provides shoulders 32 to engageon the opposite side of the stile plate to lock the bracket arms inplace,

In the preferred form of construction, the opposed slots 35 extendlongitudinally of the stile plates 25 and 26 while the locking means 24is formed with the T-shaped head extending transversely with respect tothe arms Hi and I I. Thus in every position of the bracket arms I3 andII, except the position shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawing, theT-shaped head 29 will not coincide with the openings 33. For example, inthe open position shown in Figure 1 of the drawing, the locking heads 24will not align with the openings in the stile plates 25 and 25, and inthis position the fastener or bracket A may not be removed. This is alsotrue of the position shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, as in thisconstruction the heads 29 of the locking means 24 extend at right anglesto the slots or notches 3|. When the bracket arms have been pivoted intothe position shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawing, however, in whichposition the arms extend outwardly at substantially right angles fromthe window, the heads 29 align with the notches (H and the brackets maybe removed.

Due to the normal outward spring tension of I the arms I5 and II, thebrackets will not become accidentally disengaged even when in theposition shown in Figures 3 and 4. If it is desired to remove thebrackets. however, when the arms are in this position, the arms aresqueezed together as indicated by the position shown in dotted outlinein Figure 3, at which time the locking means 24 of the arm II is removedfrom the recess 30 in the stile plate 26. By opening the window sash 25while the bracket arms are held in this position, the arms may be swungout of contact with the stile plate 25 to permit removal of the lockingmeans 24 on the arm I0 from the stile plate 25. A simpler manner ofremoving the fasteners or brackets, however, is to pivot the arms ID andII in the manner shown in Figure 4 of the drawing, thus removing thelocking means 24 from the stile plate 25. Thus by merely pulling the twobrackets or fasteners into a substantially horizontal position,squeezing the arms of each fastener together, and pivoting the sameinwardly, both fasteners may be removed in an extremely short period oftime.

As is common in brackets of this general type, the ears I! provide ameans of locking the storm sash 33 to the window frame 34. From anobservation of Figure 1 of the drawing, it will be clear that when thestorm window has been closed, the arms I0 and II will assume parallelrelationship in the manner illustrated in Figure 2. As the arms I0 and II are of the same length, these arms may then be pivoted through untilthe body of the arms I0 and II is above the stile plates 25 and 26. Inthis position the ear I! prevents outward movement of the arm Illwithrespect to the arm II, thus locking the storm sash in closed position.

It will be noted that the stile plate 25 has its opening 30 in a centraloffset portion 34 so that the locking head 24 may extend between thiscentral ofiset portion and the body of the window frame 34.

In the construction shown in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawing, a windowfastener or bracket B is designed to be disconnected at either end fromcorresponding stile plates. In the fastener B I provide a pair of arms35 and 36 having enlarged connecting ends connected by means of a pivotbolt 31. Friction washers 39 are positioned between the arms, and thearm 36 is provided with an extension 40 terminating in a second enlargedhead M which is parallel to and spaced from the head of the arm 36. Theextension or connecting portion 40 acts in the same manner as the lug orflange l6 of the fastener A to prevent the arms 35 and 36 from movinginto alignment. Thus in any position of the storm window or the like towhich the bracket is attached, the window may be closed without firstmoving the arms 35 and 36 out of alignment.

A spring plate 42 is connected to each of the arms 35 and 35 by means ofa pair of ears 43 which encircle the arm at one end of the plate. Theplates 42 are provided with additional oppositely disposed ears 44 atthe other end thereof which loosely encircle the arms 35 and 35. A pairof opposed notches 45 on each arm 35 and 35 provide shoulders to engagethe ears on the plate 42 when this plate is in one extreme position, asillustrated in Figures 8 and 9 on the ar'm 35. When moved to the otherextreme positionas illustrated in Figure 8 on the arm 35, the ears onthe plate 42 ride over the ends of the notches 45, the ears 43 springingsufiiciently so that this action may take place. Each of the springplates 42 is provided with a notch 43 to engage about a pivot pin in amanner which will be now described.

The stile plates to which the arms 35 and are attached may be of thetype generally indicated by the numeral 41 or may be of a type indicatedby the numeral 49. The stile plate 41 is right angular in shape, havingan attaching flange 50 drilled to accommodate screws or fastenin means,and a flange 5| from which a pivot pin 52 projects. An encircling groove53 is provided on the pin 52 to accommodate the bifurcated end of theassociated plate 42, the notch 45 being of a width to accommodate thesmall diameter portion of the pin 52 at the base of the groove 53, butbeing too narrow to fit about the entire body of the pin 53. Thus whenthe arm 35 is attached to the stile-plate 41 the pin 52-extends throughthe circular opening 54- in the free end of the arm 35, and the springplate 42 is moved upwardly so that the birfurcatedend thereof engages inthe groove 53 to prevent disengagement of the arm 35 and the pin.

The stile plate it is provided with aligned attaching ends 55 throughwhich holes are drilled to accommodate screws or other'fasteni'ng-meansand an offset central portion 56 accommodating a pivot pin 57. As shownin Figure 9 i the drawing, the pivot pin is provided withan annulargroove 59 in which the bifurcated end of the spring plate 62 associatedtherewith may engage. Thus when in the position shown infull outline inFigure 9, the spring plate holds the bracket arm to the stileplateagainst accidental disengagement therefrom, but permits freepivoting of the bracket arm with respect to the stile-plate.

The fastener C illustrated in Figures 10, 11,

and 12 of the drawing also may be'disconnected rom its associated stileplates S13 and (it when it is so desired. The fastener or bracket 0comprises a pair of arms 62 and $3 having enlarged ends which areconnected by an adjusting bolt B4. Friction washers t5 are'interposedbetween the arms 62 and 63 so as to create friction tending to hold thearms in any set adjusted relation. A lug E56 on one of the arms 62prevents the arms 62 and 53 from moving into alignment to facilitate theclosing of the window from wide open position. Each of the arms 62 and63 are provided with enlarged circular heads ii and 59, respectively,having circular openings it and H therein to accommodate the pivot pinon the stile plates 65.} and '5 l.

The stile plate 69 is provided with an attaching flange i2 drilled toaccommodate screws or other fastening means A flange 13 extends atsubstantially right angles to the flange Gil and is provided with pivotpin "Ed extending at substantially right angles thereto. A flange i5extends upwardly from the plate 69 substantially parallel to the flangei3 and is provided with a tip end 16 which extends toward the pin it andterminates in spaced relation thereto. The roundedflat end 67 of the arm62 is provided with a notch 11 through which the tip end it of theflange lamay pass. As shown in Figure 11 of the drawing, the flange E5is spaced from the flange i3 sufficiently to permit the arm 652 to bepositioned between these flanges. In any angularposition of the arm $2other than the position in which the tip end 75 may fit through thenotch H, the tip end 16 will engage over the face of the rounded end ofthe arm 62 and prevent its disengagement therefrom. In one angularposition of the arm 62 with respect to the stile plate 69, however, thearm 62 may be engaged or disengaged from the pin 14.

A stile plate ti includes a pair of aligned attaching ends 19 which aredrilled to accommodate screws or other attaching means. A pin 8|projects outwardly from the central portion of the plate 8! to fit intothe circular opening H of the arm 53. An ear 82 projects forwardly fromthe central portion of the stile plate 6! and includes a flange G3 whichis bent substantially parallel to the plate 6! and in spaced relationthereto. As seen in Figure 12 of the drawing, the flange 83 is spacedfrom the central portion of plate 6! sufiiciently to permit the arm 63to extend between this flange and the plate 6 l.

A notch 84 is provided in a rounded head 63 to accommodate the flange83. When the arm 63 is in one specific angular relation with respect tothe stile plate 6!, the arm 63 may slip onto or off from the pin 8!. Inany other angular position of the rod 63, the flange 83 overlies theface of the head 69 of the arm 63, and holds the arm 63 engaged thereto.

The notches T! and 86 may be so positioned that one of the arms may bedetached whiie the bracket is in one angular position and the other ofthe arms may be detached in another angular position. If desired, theseangular positions may coincide so that both ends of the bracket may bedetached at the same time. It is preferred, however, in thisconstruction to have one of the brackets detachable in one angularposition and then by pivoting the bracket slightly, the other end orother arm may be removed.

In packaging the present device, I prefer to include a pair of bracketssuch as A, B, or C and to include with these brackets one pair of stileplates such as is shown in Figures 7, 9 or 12, and to furnish two setsof stile plates of the type shown in Figure 6 or 11 and shown at thelefthand side of Figure 8. In other words, for each bracket A I provideone stile plate 26'and two stile plates 25. For the bracket B I provideone stile plate such as 49 and two stile plates such as 41. With thebracket C I provide one stile plate 6| and two stile plates 68. Thestile plates are designed to flt on either end of the bracket and byproviding extra stile plates of the type described, both ends of thebracket may be provided with right angular brackets to engage surfacesat right angles to the plane of operation of the bracket arms. Mybracket is thus made suitable for use for an extremely great combinationof cases, and may fit any one of a great number of installations.

It will be seen that with the type of construction shown in Figures 1through 7 of the drawing, it is only necessary to pivot the bracket armsin unison to a horizontal position and to pivot the pivotally connectedends of the brackets inwardly of the Window in order to remove thebrackets. Thus in a simple movement, the brackets may be detached in anemergency or when it is desired. The brackets are not supported eitherby the window sash or by the window frame during the period they are notin use, and therefore the windows may be handled without danger ofhaving the brackets project through the glass panes of an additionalsash to break the same.

While I have discussed the bracket as being particularly designed foruse in conjunction with pivoted windows of one type or another, it isobvious that the brackets may be similarly used on doors or closures ofvarious types. Thus when I mention pivoted windows in the claims, Idesire to have it understood that doors or other pivoted closures couldbe similarly connected. Furthermore, while I have discussed pivot pinconnections in which one part of a bracket is secured to a stile plateby means of a pivot pin connection which fits into a suitable recess inthe other element, it is obvious that pivot pins could be on either ofthe elements and the cooperating recess in the other of these elements.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principlesof construction and operation of my window bracket; and while I haveendeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to haveit understood that these are only illustrative of a means of carryingout my invention and that obvious changes may be made within the scopeof the following claims without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

I claim:

1. A storm sash fastener for connecting a storm sash and a frame, saidconnector including a pair of pivotally connected arms, a stile bracketconnected to the window frame, a second stile bracket secured to saidstorm sash, an offset means in said arms to space the free ends of saidarms apart under spring tension, pivotal connecting means connecting thefree ends of said arms to said stile brackets, said pivotal connectingmeans being movable into alignment in closed position of said stormsash, and cooperable means on the free ends of said arms and on saidstile brackets operable in one angular position of said aligned windowbrackets when said arms are flexed together at the free ends thereof fordetachably connecting said arms to said brackets.

2. A window bracket for use in connecting a pivoted window and a framecomprising a pair of jointed arms, a stile plate on the window, a stileplate on the frame, said arms being relatively pivotal from a side byside parallel relationship to a substantially end to end relation, andmeans detachably connecting said pivotally connected arms to both ofsaid stile plates, said means holding said arms from simultaneousdetachment unless said arms are in said side by side parallelrelationship and in a predetermined angular position.

3. A window bracket for use in connecting a pivoted window and a framecomprising a pair of jointed arms, said arms being relatively pivotedfrom a side by side parallel relationship to a substantially end to endrelationship, means pivotally and detachably connecting one of said armsto the window, and means pivotally and detachably connecting the otherof said arms to the frame, and connecting means holding said arms fromsimultaneous detachment unless said arms are in side by side parallelrelationship and in a predetermined angular position.

4. A window bracket for use in connecting a pivoted window and a framecomprising a pair of jointed resilient arms, said arms being relativelypivotal from a side by side parallel rela tion to a substantially end toend relation, said arms being close together adjacent the joint andnormally spaced apart throughout the rest of their length, theresilience of said arms permitting the same to be sprung together attheir free ends, means pivotally and detachably connecting one of saidarms to the window, and means pivotally and detachably connecting theother of said arms to the frame, said connecting means holding said armsfrom simultaneous detachment unless said arms are in said side by siderelation and in a predetermined angular position, the flexing togetherof the free ends of said arms then simultaneously detaching said arms.

5. A window bracket for use in connecting a pivoted window, and a framecomprising a pair of jointed resilient arms, said arms being relativelypivotal from a side by side parallel relation to a substantially end toend relation, said arms being close together adjacent the joint andnormally spaced apart throughout the rest of their length, theresilience of said arms permitting the same to be sprung together attheir free ends, a stile plate on said window, a second stile plate onsaid frame, means on each of said arms pivotally and detachablyconnecting each arm to a respective stile plate, said connecting meansholding said arms from simultaneous detachment unless said heads are inside by side relation and in a predetermined angular position, theflexing together of the free ends of said arms then simultaneouslydetaching said arms.

6. A Window bracket for use in connecting a pivoted window and a framecomprising a pair of jointed resilient arms relatively pivotal from aside by side position to a substantially end to end position, the freeends of said arms being supported in spaced relation, means detachablyconnecting one of said arms to said window, and means connecting theother of said arms to the frame, means on the window and framerespectively holding said connecting means from disengagement unlesssaid arms are in side by side relation and in one angular position, saidconnecting means and holding means then being disengageable by flexingthe arms together.

'7. A window bracket for use in connecting a pivoted window and a framecomprising a pair of jointed resilient arms relatively pivotal from aside by side position to a substantially end to end position, the freeends of said arms being supported in spaced relation, a stile plate onsaid window, a second stile plate on said frame, means detachablyconnecting one of said arms to one of said stile plates, and meansdetachably connecting the other of said arms to the other of said stileplates, means cooperable between said stile plates and said connectingmeans holding said connecting means from disengagement unless said armsare in side by side relation and in one angular position, saidconnecting means then being disengageable by flexing the arms together.

8. A window bracket for use in connecting a pivoted window and a framecomprising a pair of jointed resilient arms relatively pivotal from aside by side position to a substantially end to end position, the freeends of said arms being normally supported in spaced relation, meanspivotally and detachably securing the free end of one arm to saidwindow, means pivotally and detachably securing the free end of theother arm to said frame, cooperable holding means on said window and onsaid frame holding the securing means from disengagement unless saidarms are in side by side relation and in one angular position, theflexing of one arm toward the other then disengaging said one arm fromits holding means, the other securing means being pivotal out ofengagement with its respective holding means.

9. A window bracket for use in connecting a pivoted window to a framecomprising a pair of jointed arms having free ends normally supported inspaced relation, means detachably and pivotally securing the free end ofone arm to the window and means detachably and pivotally securing thefree end of the other arm to said window, said arms pivoting into sideby side relation when said window is in closed position and swinging inunison about their respective securing means, holding means cooperablewith said securing means to hold said securing means from simultaneousdetachment unless said arms are in side by side relation and pivoted toa predetermined angular position, said arms being swingable about anaxis at substantially right angles to the axis of said securing means todetach said arms.

WILLIAM H. SCHMITT.

